Poles tend to buy fresh and cook, rather than having a freezer full of read-made meals.
So do I. There are several markets and lots of small shops near my flat so I shop almost every day. It helps me meet people and practice my Polish.
My fridge is smaller than the ones I had in the US but it's more than adequate.
Much less crime here. Also lower salaries, but I can live comfortably but not extravagantly on my teacher's salary.
Poland's a white country. I lived in San Diego plus a lot of other places and I'm used to a multicultural environment. You won't find that here.
Ah, the language. I majored in French in college and speak it very well, plus some Italian and Japanese and Polish is by far the most difficult language I've studied. But don't let that discourage you. You'd be surprised how many people in the larger cities speak at least some English, and in my experience Poles appreciate it when I trot out my Polish, many mistakes notwithstanding. You've just got to try a little.
Clothes and electronics are a lot more expensive here. The digital camera I paid $200 for in the US costs twice that here. The last time I bought Levis in the US I paid $25 for them. The same pair here is 300 zl. That's almost $150. I found a pair of almost new jeans in a second hand store for 16 zl. Quite a difference.
One other thing. I live in Gdansk, so my perspective is limited. It's like asking what life is like in the US. Depends on what part you're talking about. New York is very different from California, and the same is true in Poland.
Give me time and I'll think of a whole lot more.
